Lost Your Job: What to Do First
After losing your job, the first thing to do is apply for Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits, managed by Service Canada.
Apply for EI: Do It Quickly
The official page states: if you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. So, apply online as soon as possible.
You'll need:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN); if it starts with 9, proof of immigration status and work permit.
- Parent's last name at birth.
- Mailing and residential addresses with postal codes.
- Banking info for direct deposit (institution, branch/transit number, account number).
- Employment details for the past 52 weeks or since last claim (whichever is shorter): employer names, addresses, dates, reason for separation.
- Your version of facts if you quit or were dismissed.
- Dates (Sunday to Saturday) and earnings for your highest-paid weeks in the last 52 weeks.
You may need Records of Employment (ROEs); you can send them after applying.
How to Apply: Online
The online application takes about 1 hour. You can save and return within 72 hours; otherwise, it's deleted.
If You Applied in the Past Year
If you started a claim in the last 52 weeks and it still has payable weeks, your existing claim will be reactivated. In some cases, it may be better to cancel and start a new claim, but consider:
- Must meet qualifying conditions.
- Remaining weeks on old claim are lost.
- 1-week unpaid waiting period.
If Reactivated, You May Need:
- Salary for last week worked (before deductions), including tips and commissions.
- Other amounts like vacation pay, severance, pension, pay in lieu of notice.
Direct Deposit
Sign up for direct deposit to get payments 2 business days after processing your report.
Health Benefits and Child Benefit?
Official info doesn't mention impacts on health cards or Canada Child Benefit. Check with relevant departments.
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